HI SB544

Increases Hawaii minimum wage from $9.25 per hour (as of January 1, 2017) to $10.50 per hour on January 1, 2018, then to $12.00, $13.50, and $15.00 on January 1 of 2019, 2020, and 2021 respectively.

Eliminates the tip credit provision that previously allowed employers to pay tipped employees below the minimum wage if combined tips and wages met a specified threshold.

Requires the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to calculate and adjust the minimum wage annually beginning September 30, 2021, based on the Honolulu region consumer price index (CPI-W) for the prior 12 months.

Each adjusted minimum wage rate calculated under the new provision takes effect on the following January 1.